Important: Before you purchase a vehicle, a trailer, a boat, a snowmobile or an ATV, make sure that you can receive acceptable proof of ownership. If you do not have the acceptable proof of ownership, you can have difficulties when you register the vehicle or get a title certificate or transferable registration in your name.
To get more information, read the DMV brochures, Let the Buyer Be Aware, and Q&A About Your Title Certificate.
Get Proof of Ownership When You Buy a Vehicle, a Boat, an ATV or a Snowmobile
If you purchase a vehicle from a dealer
A DMV-licensed automobile dealer must have acceptable proof of ownership for a vehicle before they can sell that vehicle to you. Most NYS automobile dealers send the application for your vehicle registration and title certificate to the DMV. The dealer can charge a fee of $45 for this service.
The proof of ownership for a new vehicle is the Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin (MCO) or the Manufacturer's Statement of Origin (MSO) and form MV-50 (Dealer's Bill of Sale). The proof of ownership for a used vehicle is the title certificate that the previous owner signed to transfer the ownership to the dealer and a form MV-50 that the dealer signs to transfer ownership to you. Out-of-state dealers use a different bill of sale form.
If you cannot get acceptable proof of ownership from a NYS dealer, learn how to file a complaint about a dealer.
If you purchase or receive the vehicle as a gift from another person
If you buy a vehicle, a boat, an ATV, or a snowmobile from another person who is not a DMV-licensed automobile
dealer or receive it as a gift, make sure that you receive acceptable proof of ownership.
Bill of Sale: Proof of ownership normally includes a bill of sale. The DMV does not provide a form for a bill of sale. The seller and the buyer complete the bill of sale.
If the vehicle is transferred as a gift, indicate this on the bill of sale and
indicate that the purchase price is $0. You must also indicate the vehicle
is a gift on form DTF-802 (Statement of Transaction {Sales Tax Form}). An acceptable bill of sale includes all of this information:
- the year and make of the vehicle, boat or ATV,
- the vehicle identification number (VIN) or the hull identification number (HIN),
- the date of the sale,
- the purchase price of the vehicle or the boat, and
- the names and signatures of the buyer and the seller.
The buyer and seller can make photocopies of the bill of sale to keep in their records. The new owner must give the original bill of sale to the DMV with the other acceptable proofs of ownership required. A bill of sale is not an acceptable proof of ownership without other proofs.
Acceptable Proofs of Ownership
Cars, Trucks and Motorcycles - model year 1973 or newer
The acceptable proof of ownership is a title certificate from any state and a bill of sale. The person whose name appears on the proof of ownership must sign the transfer section of the proof of ownership.
If the seller has a title certificate that was transferred to the seller by another person, the seller cannot use that title certificate to transfer the ownership to you. The seller must apply for a title certificate only and transfer the new title certificate to you.
Your name must appear on the title certificate as the buyer.
Make sure that the information listed on the title certificate is not altered, erased or changed. If any information is altered, erased or changed, the current owner must get a duplicate title certificate and use the duplicate to transfer the ownership to you.
Cars, Trucks and Motorcycles - model year 1972 or older
The acceptable proof of ownership is a NYS transferable registration or the acceptable proof of ownership for that vehicle issued by another state.
NYS does not issue title certificates for 1972 and older vehicles. NYS DMV normally issues a transferable registration for proof of ownership for a 1972 or older motor vehicle. The owner can use the transferable registration to transfer ownership to another person. If the proof of ownership is a NYS registration document, make sure the registration document is marked "transferable" on the front. The person whose name appears on the proof of ownership must sign the transfer section of the proof of ownership.
Different states issue different documents for ownership and transfer of older vehicles. To make sure that an out-of-state document is the acceptable proof of ownership, contact the DMV in the state that issued the document.
Motorized boats - model year 1987 or newer, and at least 14 ft. long
The acceptable proof of ownership is a NYS title certificate or the acceptable proof of ownership from another state, and a bill of sale. The person whose name appears on the proof of ownership must sign the transfer section of the proof of ownership.
Motorized boats - model year 1986 or older, or any NYS-registered boat that is less than 14 ft. long
The acceptable proof of ownership is a bill of sale and a transferable NYS registration. The word "transferable" must appear on the front of the registration. The person whose name appears on the registration must sign the transfer section of the registration.
If the boat is registered in another state, contact that state to make sure that the proof of ownership you receive is the acceptable proof of ownership for that state.
Trailers - model year 1973 or newer with an unladen weight of 1,000 lbs. or more
The acceptable proof of ownership is a NYS title certificate or the acceptable proof of ownership from another state, and a bill of sale. The person whose name appears on the proof of ownership must sign the transfer section of the proof of ownership.
If the trailer is registered in another state, contact that state to make sure that the proof of ownership you receive is the acceptable proof of ownership for that state.
Trailers - model year 1972 or older, or any trailer with an unladen weight of 999 lbs. or less
The acceptable proof of ownership is a transferable NYS registration or the acceptable proof of ownership from another state, and a bill of sale. The word "transferable" must appear on the front of the registration. The person whose name appears on the registration must sign the transfer section of the registration.
If the trailer is registered in another state, contact that state to make sure that the proof of ownership you receive is the acceptable proof of ownership for that state.
All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs)
New: The acceptable proof of ownership is the Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin or the Manufacturer's Statement of Origin.
Used: The acceptable proof of ownership is a NYS transferable registration, or a title certificate or registration document from another state. The person whose name appears on the proof of ownership must sign the transfer section of the proof of ownership.
If you purchase the ATV from a registered dealer, you must get a dealer's bill of sale. An acceptable bill of sale includes all of this information:
- the name, mailing address, and registration number of the dealer,
- your name and your mailing address,
- the vehicle identification number of the ATV,
- the year and make of the ATV,
- the model name and the number of wheels on the ATV,
- the information that indicates if the ATV is new or used, and
- the information that proves that the dealer collected the correct amount of NYS sales tax.
If the ATV was never registered or the proofs of ownership are not available, complete form MV-51B (Affidavit of Ownership), and get a bill of sale from the current owner.
Snowmobiles - purchased from a dealer
The acceptable proof of ownership is:
- the Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin, or
- the Manufacturer's Statement of Origin, or
- the registration of the previous owner that is signed and transferred to the dealer, and
- a dealer's bill of sale on company letterhead.
Snowmobiles - previously registered and purchased from an individual
The acceptable proof of ownership is a snowmobile bill of sale and a NYS registration transferred to you. The person whose name appears on the proof of ownership must sign the transfer section of the proof of ownership.
An acceptable snowmobile bill of sale includes all of this information:
- your name and your mailing address,
- the year and make of the snowmobile,
- the model name, model number, color, and CC/HP of the snowmobile,
- the snowmobile identification number,
- the purchase price, and
- the signature of the seller.
Snowmobiles - never registered and purchased from an individual
The acceptable proof of ownership is:
- the Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin or Manufacturer's Statement of Origin,
- the dealer's bill of sale given to the original owner,
- the sales tax receipts from all other transfers, and
- a snowmobile bill of sale (as described above).
If the Acceptable Proof of Ownership is not Available
If the acceptable proofs of ownership are not available, use these instructions to get the acceptable proof of ownership.
Titled Vehicles
If the seller has a title certificate that was transferred to the seller by the previous owner, and the title certificate displays the name of the previous owner, the seller must get a title certificate that displays the name of the seller. Use the instructions to apply for a title certificate only.
If the seller cannot get a title certificate that displays the name of the seller, the seller can contact a DMV Call Center to get more information.
Non-Titled Vehicles
Replace a NYS transferable registration: If the NYS transferable registration is lost, the current owner can apply for a duplicate registration document at a DMV office. Use the application form MV-82 (Application for Registration or Title) and the instruction form MV-82.1. The current owner can transfer the ownership with the duplicate registration document, even if the registration is expired. The current owner must also complete a bill of sale.
Form MV-353 (Certification of NYS Registration for Transfer of Non-Titled Vehicle): If the NYS transferable registration is lost and the DMV cannot issue a duplicate, the current owner can apply for form MV-353. The DMV must verify from its records that the vehicle was registered to the current owner. The current owner must provide
proof of identity. There is a fee $10 for form MV-353. The current owner can use form MV-353 and a bill of sale to transfer the ownership.
Form MV-51B (Statement of Ownership): If the DMV cannot issue a transferable registration or form MV-353 the registration applicant must show other evidence of ownership For example, the applicant can show an old registration, an original Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin, or an original Manufacturer's Statement of Origin. If the proof is not available, the applicant can use form MV-51B for proof of ownership.
Form MV- 51 (Certification of Sale or Transfer for 1972 or Older Vehicles or Any Other Non-Titled Vehicles): If the seller did not register the vehicle, the boat, the ATV or the snowmobile, the seller can complete form MV- 51 and give the form to the buyer. The seller must also give the buyer the original proof of ownership and bill of sale that the seller received from the previous owner. If there are other previous owners, the seller must also give the buyer proofs of all previous transfers of ownership. The seller must also give the buyer a bill of sale.
Proof of Ownership Supplied by the Buyer
Before you purchase a vehicle, boat, or snowmobile that is non-titled, make sure that you will receive the acceptable proofs of ownership. If you cannot get any of these proofs, you must:
Contact the previous owner that sold the vehicle, boat or snowmobile to you. Get a bill of sale, and a registration receipt or form MV-353 transferred to you.
Write to the owner and request that the owner transfer the acceptable proof of ownership to you and mail the proof to you. Use certified mail to request a return receipt.
If you do not receive proof of ownership, and the US Postal Service returns your certified letter, bring all of these items to a DMV office:
- The returned certified letter in its envelope, not opened.
- A pencil tracing, a photo or a police statement that shows the vehicle identification number.
- A notarized affidavit that explains how you got the vehicle and describes how you tried to get the acceptable proof of ownership.
- Other documents that are evidence of ownership. For example, any bills of sale or registration documents of previous owners, or your cancelled check for payment, is evidence of ownership.
- A completed form MV-51B (Statement of Ownership). Note: If you have had the vehicle, the boat or the snowmobile for less than one year and it was never registered by the previous owner, the previous owner must complete form MV-51B.
Important Note: If your proof of ownership for a vehicle, boat, or snowmobile that is non-titled is not a NYS transferable registration transferred to you by the previous owner, the local DMV office will issue a non-transferable registration. You can use the vehicle, boat or snowmobile with a non-transferable registration, but you cannot transfer your ownership to another person.
After your non-transferable registration is issued, the DMV Title Services Bureau examines your proofs. The Title Services Bureau decides if the DMV can issue a transferable registration. The Title Services Bureau will mail to you a transferable registration or a letter that explains why the DMV cannot issue a transferable registration.
If the Vehicle Owner is Deceased
Read these instructions on what to do if the owner of a vehicle is deceased.
Vehicles Imported from Another Country
Read the information about vehicles imported from another country.
Odometer and Damage Disclosure Statement
If a vehicle has a NYS title certificate and is less than nine model years old, the seller must provide the new owner with a disclosure statement. The disclosure statement is located on the back of NYS title certificates that display a print date of "12/94" or later. If the title certificate does not have the damage disclosure statement, the seller must complete form MV-103 (Odometer and Damage Disclosure Statement). The seller must give the statement and the proofs of ownership to the buyer.
Get more information about salvage vehicles.
How to Protect Your Proof of Ownership
The DMV recommends that you keep your proofs of ownership in a safe and protected location. You can have difficulties when you try to replace the documents that you received from a private seller. Never leave a title certificate or other proof of ownership in your vehicle. To protect your claim to ownership, apply for a title certificate no more than 30 days after you receive ownership.
